Big Ten Network analyst Fred Pletsch has worn many hats over the course of a distinguished career, including serving as commissioner of both the North American Hockey League and the original incarnation of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
In a conversation with The Rink Live, he offered some thoughts on the weekend's showdown between Minnesota and Michigan, as well as the other contenders for the 2023 conference title.
TIME STAMPS
1:45 A preview look at this weekend's series: Michigan at Minnesota
3:40 Why is Michigan in sixth place in the Big Ten?
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7:00 Who is Michigan interim coach Brandon Naurato and what is his coaching style?
11:45 What are the surprises in the Big Ten so far this season?
15:45 Being the commissioner of the NAHL and the CCHA
20:15 Story on one of his toughest spots as a commissioner
22:50 How the NAHL has changed since he was commissioner, the end of the original CCHA, why Penn State getting hockey changed college hockey
27:45 A health update on his son
28:30 Penn State being strong in goal with Liam Souliere helping the Nittany Lions to a strong season
31:15 Is Arizona State a good fit for the Big 10?
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33:45 How the conference champion gets a bye in the Big 10 ... has it helped those teams in the postseason?
